Death of D-Day vet who was at liberation of Belsen

From the South Wales Guardian

Sid Barlow, veteran of Belsen liberation, dies (From South Wales Guardian)




Sid Barlow, veteran of Belsen liberation, dies


8:50am Thursday 22nd March 2012


Sid Barlow, veteran of Belsen liberation, dies
SID Barlow, the Second World War veteran whose war-time exploits at the forefront of the Allied advance on Berlin gripped Guardian readers, has died aged 92.


Sid, of Ger-y-Llan in Cwmifor, was a corporal with HQ10 GRN and landed at Gold Beach under heavy German fire on D-Day+1.


He was to remain at the sharp end of many of the war’s major theatres of combat, including Operation Market Garden in Arnhem and the Battle of the Bulge, in the Ardennes.


Sid was also present at Lueneberg Heath when Field Marshal Montgomery accepted the unconditional surrender of all German forces in Europe.


However, the most traumatic moment of Sid’s war came when he was one of the first to enter – and record – the horrors of the notorious Bergen-Belsen concentration camp.


“The thing that sticks in my mind above all else is Belsen,” he told Guardian reporter Steve Adams.


“ No-one in their wildest nightmares could imagine something that horrific.”


Sid’s memories, published over two weeks in July 2010, received a phenomenal response from Guardian readers.



Sid died peacefully in hospital on March 8 with devoted wife Vivian, his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren at his bedside.


Acelebration of his life is to take place at 3.30pm at Llanelli Crematorium tomorrow {March 22).


Donations, if desired, to Cleddau Ward should be made to V Barlow, care of DW Watkins Funeral Service, 17 Thomas Street, Llandeilo.

 

RIP Sir...

 

RIP

 

May he rest in peace, he looked like a great man to know

 

RIP Mr. Barlow!